Pages

Saturday, October 2, 2010

A gentleman who read my book said it made him think about his faith, but when I asked about his church attendance, he quipped "God makes house calls." This was his reason for not belonging to a church and being a solo Christian at home. I don't think that he has thought enough about the Christian faith, however, and this post is dedicated to him.

Perhaps God makes house calls to the sick and those in the hospital and in prisons who can't come to churches in our cities. Chaplains serve in hospitals and prisons and minister to the needs of the ill and the prisoners. However, I do not think that God excuses other people who have not found a church home.

Yes, there were churches in homes in the New Testament in the book of Acts. But these churches were gathering of believers, but not just one family. Soon the New Testament has Paul writing to churches in various locations. In only two books does he write to individuals--Timothy and Titus.

Pastor Kevin De Young wrote that it is not a good idea to swap church for serving the community on Sunday. See DeYoung's Blog Someone commented on his blog that the real sacrifice would be to serve the community instead of watching a football game on Saturday not by skipping services on Sunday.

Can't find a worthy church? Burt Parsons writes about a true church in Table Talk magazine from Ligonier Ministries. He quotes Calvin:

The Reformers looked to Scripture alone to determine what comprises a true church. In his Institutes, John Calvin wrote, “Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to Christ’s institution, there, it is not to be doubted, a church of God exists” (4.1.9). Calvin and the Reformers understood that the pure preaching of the Word and the right administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which includes the practice of church discipline, were essential elements of a true church, with the implicit repudiation of false churches that did not conform to these fundamental biblical qualifications.

God can be glorified in all we do, but also in worshipping Him in His prescribed way on the Sabbath in our local church. To change that is to miss out on glorifying Him in fellowship with other believers. To not have fellowship with other believers is to open up ourselves to error and pride--pride that God will negate centuries of history of his church and visit us and our family in our homes but perhaps not those in churches.

No perfect church? There are also no perfect people who do need church instruction, discipline and fellowship. That church also needs their gifts.

Faith comes by preaching of the Word of God (Romans 10:14) and we are told to not forsake assembling of ourselves together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:25). Let's remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

I have missed going to service. I beleive that to be saved one must be convicted first. And they must hear the word before they can be convicted.Or they will not want to be saved or confess there sins and ask God to forgive them and believe that Jesus was God's son and died on the cross for our sins. We all watch service on tv now since mom cannot go to service. I do love going to the Easter , Christmas and to other services when I get a chance. I never feel closer to Jesus than after a Great Christmas service. That is my fav. But I also agree with your reader . God does make house calls. He is in our home 24/7.

Dear, dear Karen,If you could be in church I know you would be there. When I can't go because of my husband's illness, I will listen by Skype to our services. I do hope that your church pastor or members minister to you and your mom however.Love,Me